'We let the victory slip away'

5 November 2016

NFFC

Nottingham Forest head coach Philippe Montanier was left angered by his side as they let a one-goal lead slip to draw 1-1 against Queens Park Rangers today.

The Reds played a large portion of the match against ten men following Karl Henry’s early red card, and the Frenchman was left to rue what could have been as his side allowed the visitors back into the game.

He said: “I am more angry than frustrated because when you lead 1-0 and are playing 11 against ten and you play a bad second half, you give the opponent an opportunity to score.

“Normally it is easier to keep the ball and attack, but we made a lot of mistakes and kept giving them the opportunities to score. We didn’t have good control of the game at 11 against ten. It is tough for us and I am very angry as it is a great chance to win.

“We kept giving the ball to them. Normally you would play higher up the pitch as they had a player less and we had a great opportunity for victory. In our situation we need points and we should not be giving the opponents the opportunity.

“We are always concerned about our position but my feeling is more anger because it was a great opportunity to win this game. We let the victory slip away.”

Britt Assombalonga gave Forest a first-half lead, before Hildeberto Pereira was sent off for two yellow cards in the second-half and Idrissa Sylla’s late leveller meant a share of the spoils.

Montanier was left frustrated with Pereira following his sending off, his third of the season, but he was pleased with the contribution from Assombalonga as he made his first start after recovering from injury.

He said: “I am angry with the first yellow card for Hildeberto and the second is a mistake from the referee having watched it back. I am angry with him as he should keep quiet and take his position as we had seen a lot of yellow cards for dissent.

“With Britt you know he can score at any time and at the end we had two or three opportunities to score and the opponents were focused on him. He feels well and it was a good game for Britt and we can see how important he is for us.”